The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-02-26
CASTLE ETTRICK.
An Old Soldiers Love
Story.
CHAPTER NJ
yERoNICA's DISAPPOINTMENT.

encouragements had taken due effect upon
his mind, Percy was far more confident
and hopeful. They rode over to Deep
Deane mediately after the Castle Ettrick
lunch. At the door of the house Mrs.
Mackenzie, who looked mysterious, met
them.
Come this way, she said, leading the
way to the dining-room. They did not
expect you SO soon.
After they had chatted together for few
minutes, there came sounds Of clapping of
hands from outside.
They are ready said Mrs Mackenzie;
follow me. You must excuse them, she
added, turning to Colonel Lyndon. 1T
young people, and Veronica being an in
valid, we are bound TO do what We can to
amuse her"
SO saving, she opened the door Of the
drawing room, and ushered her guests into
scene which, for n few moments, per-
picked them considerably.
The room was darker than usual, O Grim
son cmt tain having been dropped over one
of the windows. In front of this window,
and forming the central object in the room,
was a slender, stately figure, dressed in a
flowing robe of dead white. The figure
was slightly bent; golden hair fell in way
ing masses to the waist; the eyes were cast
down; the sweet, tremulous lips were half
parted and the face wore an expression of
trouble and perplexity pititnl to behold. A
truer and more exquisite Marguerite had
surely never been seen.
1t was so beautiful-so true-that Percy,
who was the first to enter the room, was
completely taken by surprise. "Whe is it?'
he said. in hurried whisper; then still
lower. What lovely-lovely face! / did
not think there was such Marguerite in
all the world"
This was delightful to the lille audience.
But one felt displeased, though Why he was
displeased he would have found it hard to
explain. do you not see who it isl" he
said, impatiently.
"Oh! don't, Colonel Lyndon, don't!'
cried AIilly in an agony, while Janet and
Veronica held up their fingers warningly.
But who is it? who is it," persisted
Percy. Miss Browne crossing over to
whore Veronica lay upon her couch, enjoy
ing the little mystery, do tell me.
"Marguerte!" said Veronica.
The figure III white lifted its eyes from
the ground, and blushing deeply, crossed to
the couch.
Miss Morrison!7 said Percy, in great
surprise.
"Yes, Letty-my Lefty! and you didn't
know her" cried Milly, clapping her hands
triumphantly. 1--WE have been having life
pictures, Percy; do you know what that is?'
Il think / have heard of them before, y
said Percy. smiling.
"Oh, we'll, l hadn't; but think they re
lovely. And Veronica says Lefty does them
splendidlv. We had Sleeping Beauty jus,
row, and I was the Prince; shall we:..ry
something else now? Veronica has heaps
and heaps Of dresses and things, and it's
such fun"
"Oh, no, nor said Lefty, who had been
curiously embarrassed by her last expert
ment. i said it was only for ourselves
Milly; and l could not be anything else
after Marguerite, l know. l will go away
and get into myself again now, if every
body will excuse me"
DO, darling" said Mrs. Mackenzie
and then, perhaps, Captain Winstanley
and the Colonel will wheel out Miss Browne
TO the veranda, and Janet and 1 will tidy
this room for visitors. | should be ashamed
for it to be seen as it is.
Colonel Lyndon had given hint Of the
state of the case to the good natured lady
and this was her way of helping Percy tt
the realization of his wish.
When the Colonel had helped to vince
the couch into the yeranda, he said tha
he would go and have look at Brown
Bess, and bring back word how she was
Percy will amuse you until We come back,
he said.
"Oh, yes l am sure he will. Captain
Winstanley is always amusing said Nero,
MICA, lightly.
In a very few moments her opinion O.
Percy was changed.
At first she could not-she would not
understand what he meant. He to talk t.
- - 4
young fellow, whom she had looked upoI
as brother, and from whom she had &C
cepted thousand kndnessesl 1t was tot
much. If she had liked him less she woulc
have found it easier TO bear. And that ht
should misunderstood her so; that they al
should! For, with a burning sense O
shame and Indignation, Veronica had be
gun TO realize why she had been left alon
with Percy Winstanley. Oh, how cruel i
was Every one of them: Mrs. Macken
Zie and Janet, who ought to have know
better; Colonel Lyndon, .oo-for had b.
not aided and abetted them?-and tn
Others, very likely, thought that Percy had
right to hope-thought that she had encour
aged him
Encouraged himl The color famed t
poor Neroniea's face, and her eyes file,
with angry tears. Did they think that sh
would have treated the man she loved so
that she would have laughed at him an,
with him-that she would have sent hir
backward and forward upon her errands
All, how little how httle-aly of ther
knew
You are dreaming she said, when
after trying to put Percy of, she vas driven
at last, - speak to him seriously. ut j
quite impossible you can be in earnest"
Why" be cried. the color starring I
his face. do you think
Il think nothing. you have taken m
by surprise. Do-do-unsav those FOOLS
words. | liked You so much yesterday
and ! like You STILL said Veronica, pitt
fully.
But if you like nae little. You Nigh
come 10 like me more, faltered Percy.
Il shall never like You as you wish
never-neyer! Do, pray, understand me
1t is impossible"
Impossible" he repeated. his face turn
ing very white. DO you really mean that?
y do, do. If you have any regard 70
me. say no more. ! should like to kee
you as a friend. said Veronica.
he bent low over her offered hand. an,
turned speechless away. If she had bee,
any one else-any one but the riches
woman in England-he might have gon
on pleading with her. There was SO mucl
that he had intended to say, and he ha
said nothing. Poor young fellow! H
knew, as he turned away, no.
those unspoken words would haur
him. he could not speak then
The thought of her riches weighe
like lead upon his heart, and sealed up hi
lips. Already she would be chasing biz
with those others-the heaps upon heap
OF fellows who had pursued her, or VII
would pursue her for her money. If b
stayed, he might read her contempt of hir
IN her eyes. and contempt from her woul
kill him.
So, at least, he said to himself, withor
waiting to see any one, or TO consider wins
any one would think of him. he dashe
deadlong away from the house.
Colonel Lyndon net him at the door c
The stables.